The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has unveiled a more simplified process of filing annual tax returns for employed Kenyans with the aim of making compliance faster and easier.
KRA on Thursday, April 16, noted that individuals earning employment income can now complete their returns in just three simple steps through the iTax platform.
The new approach is designed to eliminate the complexity that many Kenyans previously faced while filing returns, particularly for employed Kenyans with many figures to fill.
In the new process, taxpayers are only required to log into their iTax accounts using their KRA PIN or national Identity card alongside their password.
A screengrab of an image showing the 3-step process of filing income-only tax returns on the iTax portal.
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KRA
After logging in, users proceed to the ‘Returns’ section, select the simplified return option for employment income and follow the prompts provided.
KRA explained that key details such as filing dates are now automatically populated, reducing the chances of errors and saving time for users.
The final step requires taxpayers to confirm the tax computation, whether it reflects tax due or a refund, before submitting the return. Once completed, users are advised to download their receipt as proof of filing.
“Filing returns for employment income just got as easy as 123! Really, it is as simple as: Log in, click and confirm,” KRA announced.
Meanwhile, the latest update is a shift from the 8-step process announced by the Authority in early February this year, which required an employee to go through several steps to complete the process.
Initially, an employed Kenyan was required to log into the iTax portal, go to the ‘Returns’ section, confirm the returns period, confirm gross income, and confirm Pay as You Earn (PAYE).
They were then required to confirm the deductions, whether they were correct, before finally confirming whether all the details were correct, and finally submit the returns and get an acknowledgement receipt.
The latest update comes even as the timeline for filing the annual income tax returns fast approaches, with KRA urging Kenyans to comply and avoid penalties.
It also comes on the back of KRA’s continued push for higher compliance rates while providing easy digital solutions to streamline compliance and tax administration.
An undated image of customers lining up for services at KRA’s offices.
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